WEC Announces Complete Card for Event This Saturday

Jan 17, 2007 8:12 AM John Chandler

The World Extreme Cagefighting® (WEC™) organization has announced the complete card for the organization’s Las Vegas debut, which will take place live from the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007.

The WEC’s premiere Las Vegas event is already an action-packed, soon-to-be classic night of WEC fighting. Stacked with two WEC Championship bouts, the line-up features a main event matchup between Kit Cope and Razor “Rob” McCullough in a battle for the vacant WEC Lightweight crown. A second championship bout features WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah “California Kid” Faber in his first WEC Featherweight title defense against submission specialist Joe Pearson.

In undercard action, charismatic Olaf Alfonso (5-6) is an aggressive fighter with solid wins over Randy Spense and John Polakowski. Alfonso, who is never in a bad fight, impressed fight fans with his KO win over Chin Yeng at WEC 13, and he wants to prove that he is a true threat for the WEC Welterweight Title when he faces brawler Alex Karalexis.

Boston native Alex “The Assassin” Karalexis (7-2) is no stranger to the world of MMA. The 5’9” New England native is always ready for a stand up war, but he showed the world his well rounded game when he outmaneuvered Thomas Denny at WEC 23, winning a unanimous decision. Karlexis is looking for a title shot, knowing that a win over Alfonso would move him closer to his goal in 2007.

Middleweight Brandon “Caucasian Devastation” Seguin (12-10-1) is a hard-nosed fighter who does not mind trading punches. A Detroit native who wants to make a name for himself on Jan. 20, Seguin is an impressive striker known for his speed and power. He will be making his WEC debut when he squares off against Fernando Gonzalez.

Fernando Gonzalez (12-3) is a versatile middleweight with an intimidating ground-and-pound game, and this Temecula-based fighter has been fighting in MMA competitions since the age of 18. His aggressive style brought him to victory in his WEC debut, as he submitted Alex Stiebling at 2:35 of the first round, and Gonzalez plans on furthering his winning ways when he takes on Brandon Seguin.

A fierce striker, Brian Gassaway (24-15-3) is an experienced fighter with tremendous punching power. Gassaway showed his skills at WEC 14 by defeating Ross Ebanez, and the 6”1’ “Windy City” vet is looking to take out Gonzalez with his famous front kick at WEC’s Las Vegas debut.

California’s John “The Natural” Alessio (17-9) is a submission specialist with strengths in grappling, wrestling and boxing. His hand speed has impressed many of his opponents in the past and he owns a long list of impressive credentials in mixed martial arts. Alessio burst onto the WEC scene with an impressive submission victory over Alex Serdyukov at WEC 23, and in Brian Gassaway, he will be facing a fellow vet who will put him to the test.

A submission specialist, Mike French (4-5-0), is looking to make a big impact in his WEC debut. Known for his never surrender attitude, French is sure to make his fight exciting when he faces Antonio Banuelos.

San Luis Obispo’s shinning star, Antonio Banuelos (14-3), is a destructive bantamweight with heavy hands. Banuelo trains at the world famous Pit with trainer John Hackleman, but it was his lighting fast submissions that brought him victory over Ed Tomaselli at WEC 17 and James Cottrell at WEC 19. Banuelos knows he has his hands full when he battles rugged battler Mike French.

Mike Joy (5-1-0) is a slick submission specialist who is making his WEC debut. Fighting out of Tacoma, Washington, Joy goes face to face with unorthodox Richard Crunkilton.

Orlando resident Richard Crunkilton (18-1) is an aggressive fighter who is coming off a TKO victory over Nick Ertl at WEC 18 and a submission victory over Adam Lynn at WEC 21. Another WEC win on January 20 could put Crunkilton in line for a shot at the lightweight crown.

Kyle Jensen (38-9-1) is one of the most experienced MMA fighters in the game today, and has impressed many with his vicious striking style and impressive grappling. Jensen hopes to continue his success when he takes on intense MMA fighter Carlos Condit.

Albuquerque’s own Carlos Condit (18-4-0) is equally good in striking and submissions, and at the age of 22, he knows a win against Jensen will move him closer to his goal of becoming the WEC’s Welterweight champion.

Undefeated Logan Clark (8-0) is a force to be reckoned with in the WEC. Clark has excellent conditioning, flexibility, and sleek submission skills. Fighting out of Lake City, Minnesota, Clark is looking to improve his spotless record by taking out Las Vegas native Blas Avena.

Also undefeated in MMA competition, Blas “The Disciple” Avena (3-0) is a powerful puncher who is looking to make a name for himself on the world stage. Avena is known for standing toe to toe with anyone who is standing in his way of the WEC Middleweight title.